Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater 2015 Annual Report

Film Streams
at the Ruth Sokolof Theater
2015 Annual Report
“My producer/daughter Anna Fox and
I spent the second half of 2015 on
the road with THE DECLINE OF WESTERN
CIVILIZATION Trilogy. Our travels took
us to so many of the great art house and
classic movie theaters across the US.
One of my fondest memories is our
experience at Film Streams in Omaha.
Not only was the audience die-hard
cine-enthusiasts, but they were so grateful
that we made the personal appearance.
The theater itself is amazing!
Awesome sound and picture and inspiring
design. Showing our films there was
truly a highlight of our DECLINE tour.”
—
— Penelope Spheeris, Director of
THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION Trilogy
TANGERINE
Katie Weitz, PhD, and Rachel Jacobson
at the 2015 Venice Film Festival.
Dear
Supporters:
In 2015, we celebrated the 8th anniversary of
the Ruth Sokolof Theater and the 10th anniversary
of Film Streams as a nonprofit organization.
For me personally, it marked another year to
be inspired and grateful for the extraordinary
support from the community that surrounds
and sustains our cinema.
I returned from a three-month
maternity leave at the end of July
to witness two incredible programs,
both featuring wonderful women
filmmakers, within a few days of
one another. First, a partnership
with the Bemis Center for
Contemporary Arts and the Union
for Contemporary Art on a pair of
screenings of the documentary
JAMES BALDWIN: THE PRICE
OF THE TICKET, and, that same
week, a sold-out event featuring
Penelope Spheeris and her incredible
1981 documentary, THE DECLINE
OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION.
I loved watching enthusiastic and
diverse audiences connect with
these filmmakers through work
they’d created decades earlier.
I’m proud to look back on a
year full of programs that
touched on so many important
issues, including rape on college
campuses, campaign finance reform,
immigration, gentrification, and
youth homelessness. I also had the
joy of witnessing a theater full of
high school students on a field trip
laugh through their first silent film.
I am so grateful to our wonderful
staff and to Film Streams’
phenomenal board for their
commitment and extraordinary
contributions. There are few things
more gratifying than seeing so
many engaged people contributing
to the vibrancy and energy of
this wonderful organization.
Even in a year without our annual
gala, Feature, and without the benefit of a star-studded evening at the
Holland Center, so many of you chose
to support Film Streams’ programs
financially. As a result, for the sixth
year in a row, we out-paced our
budget goals and ended 2015 securely
in the black. Due to this continued
success and institutional stability, I
Three years ago, at the beginning of
my term as Film Streams’ Board Chair,
I led a strategic planning process that resulted in three
big goals for Omaha’s favorite nonprofit cinema:
am looking forward to great growth in
the coming years. And I’m confident
that together, we’ll create yet another
extraordinary place for our community
to enjoy, expanding our reach and
contributing even further to the cultural environment of our terrific city.
In 2016, we’ve already welcomed
Casey Logan back to our staff, this
time as Deputy Director. Soon, we’ll
expand our administrative team to
include an Education Director to
further enhance our programs and a
General Manager to help streamline
operations. We’re poised for
tremendous growth, and we
wouldn’t be here without the faith
and support of our wonderful community. Thank you for all you do.
All my best wishes
for a wonderful 2016,
Rachel Jacobson
Film Streams Executive Director
expose new individuals and constituencies to Film Streams and the art
of film by expanding outreach efforts,
creating unique and transformational film experiences, and engaging
more students with the art and
creating life-long film lovers.
I am thrilled to report tremendous success! During these last
three years, we reached more patrons
and partnering organizations than
ever before through our outreach. We
created magical events around movies.
And in 2015 alone, 5,395 students of
all ages from every part of the metro
area attended education programs
at the Ruth Sokolof Theater. This is
a 400 percent increase over the
number served in 2012. The growth
is tremendous for the young people
who came to our first-Monday-of-themonth Student Night; the high school
kids who field-tripped to the theater
for Daytime Education Screenings;
and the host of preschoolers, summer
school kids, bigs and littles from Big
Brothers Big Sisters, and Completely
Kids participants who took advantage
of our regularly scheduled showtimes.
This activity is dear to my heart as
I have been involved in Film Streams’
education programs since the doors
of the Ruth Sokolof Theater opened in
2007. Although I only participated in a
few education programs with students
over the years, they remain cherished
occasions. I truly believe laughing,
crying, and discussing film with kids
from all over the community elevated
my understanding, changed my
beliefs, and expanded my compassion.
The conversations we had in
Theater 1 live beyond those
days, and I encourage everyone to
bring students to the theater—your
kids, your nieces and nephews,
your neighbors—share the films
together. To see a full list of education
events at Film Streams, read on in
this report—you will be amazed.
This increase could not have been possible without a lot of hard work from
Film Streams staff, our all-volunteer
Education Committee, and the teachers who recognize the value of the
presentation and discussion of film
as an art form. I am so proud to have
been a small part of this incredibly talented, devoted, and passionate team.
2015 was my last year as Film Streams’
Board Chair. I will dearly miss serving
in this role. However, I know that the
advancements we made toward
our strategic goals have paved
a prosperous road for Film
Streams. As I transition into the
role of Past Chair, I’m thrilled about
one more big change: Film Streams
is hiring an Education Director!
Having a dedicated film-education
professional on staff will ensure
that more and more children will be
touched by the power of film. As we
enter our next phase of growth and
expansion I am confident and grateful
that Film Streams will be enriching
our community for years to come.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
and for all you have done to make
Film Streams a part of our lives.
Best,
Katie Weitz, PhD
Film Streams
Board Chair, 2013-2015
56
First-Run
films shown
in 2015
Most Popular
Premieres Overall
25 foreign features
from Belgium, Brazil,
Canada, Denmark, France,
Germany, Indonesia, Iran,
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan,
Mauritania, New Zealand,
Russia, Taiwan, and the UK.
19 documentaries,
including portraits of rock
icon Amy Winehouse,
Nobel laureate Malala
Yousafzai, the first climbers
to summit the most
technically difficult peak in
the world, and much more.
New films from
master filmmakers
Paul Thomas Anderson,
Olivier Assayas, Noah
Baumbach, The Dardenne
Brothers, Hou HsiaoHsien, Mike Leigh, Albert
Maysles, Jafar Panahi,
and Wim Wenders;
celebrated artist Laurie
Anderson; and emerging
voices Mia Hansen-Love,
Joshua Oppenheimer,
and Céline Sciamma.
Films that garnered
34 Academy Award
Nominations,
26 Independent Spirit
Award Nominations,
3 L.A. Film Critics
Awards, 6 Boston Society
of Film Critics Awards,
5 New York Critics Circle
Awards, 4 Village Voice
Poll Awards, 3 Gotham
Independent Film Awards,
and 3 National Board
of Review Awards.
Most Popular
Documentaries
Amy (UK)
He Named Me
Malala (UAE/USA)
The Wolfpack (USA)
Best of Enemies (USA)
Meru (India/USA)
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Oscar Shorts!
The Academy AwardNominated Short Films
STATE SENATOR
TANYA COOK
(various countries)
Inherent Vice (USA)
Mr. Holmes (UK)
Far From
the Madding Crowd (UK)
How many films did you see at Film
Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater in 2015?
Amy (UK/USA)
In 2015, I watched at least 10
films at Film Streams.
Room (USA)
What We Do in the
Shadows (New Zealand)
What were some of your favorite films
or events that you saw at Film Streams’
Ruth Sokolof Theater in 2015?
While We’re Young (USA)
Three movies in particular stand out as my
favorites. First is IRIS, which inspired me
to go home and clean out my closet so I can
start dressing like her. I also enjoyed I DREAM
OF AN OMAHA WHERE... and AMY.
He Named Me
Malala (UAE/USA)
Suffragette (UK)
By the numbers
86, age of documentarian Frederick
Wiseman, whose NATIONAL GALLERY
and IN JACKSON HEIGHTS premiered
at the Ruth Sokolof Theater in 2015
26, age of Quebecois director
Xavier Dolan, whose film MOMMY
wowed audiences in 2015
3, number of iPhones used to
film Sean Baker’s 2015 indie
sensation TANGERINE
What do you appreciate
about Film Streams?
7, percentage of the top 250 grossing
films released theatrically in 2015
that were directed by women;
I like hearing about a film or filmmaker in
the national media and being able to see
it at Film Streams immediately, and not
months down the road. It’s nice to see films
when they are relevant and new, and Film
Streams provides that to the Omaha area.
24, percentage of First-Run films
shown at the Ruth Sokolof Theater in
2015 that were directed by women
50, percentage of the top ten
most popular First-Run films shown
at the Ruth Sokolof Theater in 2015
that were women-led
5,000, estimated number of
movies watched by the Angulo
brothers, the subjects of the
documentary hit THE WOLFPACK
AMY
Most Popular
Classics of 2015
89
Blade Runner 1982
Repertory
classics
and
revivals
shown in
2015
(USA/Hong Kong/UK)
Looney Tunes 1944-1957 (USA)
The Princess Bride 1987 (USA)
20 ​01: A Space Odyssey 1968
(USA/UK) Members Select Winner
Grey Gardens 1975 (USA)
The Muppet Christmas
Carol 1992 (USA)
The Philadelphia
Story 1940 (USA)
Revivals and Restorations
It’s a Wonderful
Life 1946 (USA)
Ghostbusters 1984 (USA)
Eighth Annual
Members Select Winner
2001: A Space Odyssey
January 2 – 8
Film Streams’ repertory programming
is generously sponsored by Omaha Steaks.
Katharine Hepburn:
Icon, Iconoclast
February 14 – March 30
one of Robert’s grandsons, spoke
before several screenings about his
memories of working on Altman sets.
Celebrating Katharine Hepburn,
an icon and mold-breaker in
the world of film and style, we
presented eleven of the legend’s
most beloved titles. In partnership
with The Durham Museum, the
series coincided with their costume
exhibit, “Katharine Hepburn:
Dressed for Stage and Screen.”
Critics’ Choice
October 23 – December 30
Great Directors:
Robert Altman
April 24 – June 8
This retrospective included classics
M*A*S*H, McCABE AND MRS.
MILLER, and NASHVILLE, as
well as deeper cuts like 3 WOMEN,
CALIFORNIA SPLIT, and BREWSTER
McCLOUD, most projected on 35mm.
Local filmmaker Dana Altman,
To celebrate the importance of criticism to cinema, we asked some of our
favorite critics – from recently retired
Omaha World-Herald reporter Bob
Fischbach, to national voices such
as A.O. Scott and David Denby – to
share some of the films that made
them love the art form. Strong choices
from folks with strong opinions, the
selections in this series included
indie gems, Hollywood classics, and
treasures of world cinema.
Sights on Sounds
Winter 2015, Summer 2015
In 2015, we launched a recurring
series for fans of great music
and great stories. The selections
touched on subjects as diverse as
Bjork, Nas, Leon Russell, Elliott
Smith, Kurt Cobain, and David
Bowie. A sold-out screening of
the punk classic THE DECLINE
OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION
was complemented by a visit from
director Penelope Spheeris and her
daughter Anna Fox, who produced
a recent restoration of the film.
Forever Young
Family & Children’s Series
Ongoing
Attendance to our familyfriendly programming grew an
amazing 46 percent in 2015, a
testament to the enduring brilliance of classics like TO KILL A
MOCKINGBIRD, THE RED BALLOON,
GHOSTBUSTERS, BACK TO THE
FUTURE, and LOONEY TUNES.
Made possible with support from
Over 800 members responded
to our Members Select poll,
choosing one of the best films of
all time. Stanley Kubrick’s space
epic narrowly beat out PLANET
OF THE APES, BREAKFAST AT
TIFFANY’S, and GONE WITH
THE WIND. Other popular
nominees — TO KILL
A MOCKINGBIRD, BLADE
RUNNER, and
THE PRINCESS BRIDE — were booked later in 2015.
The Great Dictator
Sunday, January 18
In solidarity with our independent
cinema colleagues who chose
to screen THE INTERVIEW in
spite of terroristic threats, and to
celebrate the freedom of expression
this art form embodies, we
offered a free screening of Charlie
Chaplin’s 1940 masterpiece.
Grey Gardens
June 26 – July 2
One of the great cult films,
this Maysles Brothers
documentary introduced
the world to Big and Little
Edie Bouvier Beale, an
eccentric mother-daughter duo
living in a dilapidated mansion in
the Hamptons. Lovingly restored
for the big screen by Janus Films.
Satyajit Ray’s
The Apu Trilogy
July 10 – 30
The Great Dictator 1940 (USA)
Little Fugitive
Saturday, August 22
This landmark film, considered the
first true American indie, was followed
by a talk from film scholar and curator
Jacob Perlin, Artistic Director of New
York City’s Metrograph cinema.
Our friends at Janus Films delighted
cinephiles in 2015 with these gorgeous restorations. In the 1950s,
The Apu Trilogy brought India into
the golden age of international
art-house film, following one indelible character, a free-spirited child
in rural Bengal who matures into
an adolescent urban student and
finally a sensitive man of the world.
Blade Runner
September 4 – 10
Eric Rohmer’s
Tales of the Four Seasons
July 31 – August 29
The Alloy Orchestra plays
The General
Friday, September 18
Beginning in 1990, French New Wave
master Eric Rohmer, then in his 70s,
directed four romantic fancies, each
set in a different season. It wasn’t
until 2014 that all four of these films
were released in the U.S., and it was
a rare treat to bring them to Omaha.
Our most popular repertory
title of 2015 is also one of the most
frequently requested at the Ruth
Sokolof Theater. The mother of
all modern sci-fi, Ridley Scott’s
gritty, dystopian masterpiece
packed in enthusiastic audiences.
The world-renowned Alloy Orchestra
returned to the Ruth Sokolof Theater
for a sixth time to perform their
lauded original score to Buster
Keaton’s heart-racing masterpiece.
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
Caption
Film Streams’
education
programs
continued
to grow in 2015…
Students collect lunch on their
way into the theater for SMALL CHANGE.
“[My daughter] really enjoyed the CITIZEN KANE viewing
yesterday… I admitted to her that I had not seen CITIZEN
KANE and now she is insisting that I see it so we can
talk about it — so not only did you provide her with an
educational opportunity but you’re facilitating continuing
interaction. Thanks for doing all that you do.”
— parent of Central High School student
with more than 5,000 attending free programs
at our cinema, including Daytime Screenings
for Visiting Classes, which provided teachers
opportunities to bring their students to the theater
for film-based field trips, and our Student Night
(presented the first Monday of every month).
Particle Fever
November 3, 2015
Student Events 2015
A Time for Burning
January 14, 2015
The Kid
March 25, 2015
Brooklyn Castle
June 26, 2015
This Oscar-nominated 1964
documentary about an Omaha
church’s efforts to integrate
played for students from Central
and Millard West High Schools.
Post-film discussion moderated
by City Councilman Ben Gray.
More than 170 children, many of
whom had never before watched
a silent film, delighted in Charlie
Chaplin’s first feature-length
film. Post-film discussion
led by KANEKO Program
Manager Michael Hollins.
Close to 170 high schoolers
participating in the UNO
SummerWorks program saw
this stirring documentary about
an inner-city chess team.
Which Way Home
January 27 & 28, 2015
Small Change
April 6, 2015
Over 400 students from Omaha
South and Burke High schools,
Westside Middle School, and
Cornerstone Christian School
attended this documentary on
immigration. Post-show discussions were led by Ramon Guerra,
a professor from UNO’s Office of
Latino/Latin American Studies
of the Great Plains (OLLAS).
Nearly 150 students from
Bennington, Benson,
Burke, Central, North, and
Northwest High Schools, plus
Bennington and Westside
Middle Schools saw Francois
Truffaut’s French-language
portrait of school-age kids.
Rear Window
February 3, 2015
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 thriller
screened for students from Burke
High School and Westside
Middle School. Post-film
discussion moderated by UNO
film professor Mark Hoeger.
Song of the Sea
June 25, 2015
Hundreds of youngsters from the
Peter Kiewit Foundation Summer
Fun program visited the Ruth
Sokolof Theater for this magical animated tale based on Irish folk lore.
Looney Tunes
July 15, 2015
More than 400 Peter Kiewit
Summer Fun students filled our
theaters with laughter as many
were introduced to the antics of
classic Warner Bros. characters.
James Baldwin:
The Price of the Ticket
July 30, 2015
Over 100 participants from the
NorthStar Foundation, Omaha
Code School: Highlander, and
Girls, Inc. discussed this film on
author and activist James Baldwin
with director Karen Thorsen and
producer Douglas K. Dempsey.
Organized with the Bemis Center
for Contemporary Arts and
The Union for Contemporary Art.
Citizen Kane
September 29, 2015
Orson Welles’ all-time classic
screened for 100 kids, followed by a discussion with
KANEKO’s Michael Hollins.
A Midsummer
Night’s Dream
October 6, 2015
UNO Theatre Department
Chair D. Scott Glasser led a
discussion following director
Michael Hoffman’s adaptation of
Shakespeare’s beloved comedy.
Reel Injun
October 20, 21 & 22, 2015
Over 300 students joined us for
a documentary that examines
the relationship between
Hollywood and American
Indians. Discussions led by staff
from Native-focused production
company Vision Maker Media.
Students from Central, Blair,
and Bryan High Schools, plus
Westside and Bryan Middle
Schools, attended this film
about the Large Hadron Collider.
Creighton University physics
professor Michael Cherney,
who worked in the Swiss
facility that houses the collider,
led the group in discussion.
The Class
November 10 & 11, 2015
This moving documentary on
a diverse Parisian classroom
screened for youth from
Bennington, Bellevue East, Burke,
and Roncalli High Schools.
The Grapes of Wrath
December 1 & 2, 2015
UNO film professor Mark
Hoeger guided students
through John Ford’s iconic
adaptation of John Steinbeck’s
Depression-era classic.
Au revoir les enfants
December 8 & 9, 2015
High School French students from
Bennington, Blair, Burke, Central,
Creighton Prep, Gross Catholic,
and Ralston experienced Louis
Malle’s coming-of-age classic.
Film Streams’ Education program is supported by
the John W. Carson Foundation through the Nebraska Arts Council
and Nebraska Cultural Endowment, the Gifford Foundation,
the Jetton Charitable Fund, and the Ike and Roz Friedman Foundation.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
ELLEN HARGUS
How many films did you see at Film
Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater in 2015?
Between 20 and 30.
What were some of your favorite films
or events that you saw at Film Streams’
Ruth Sokolof Theater in 2015?
I liked MR. TURNER, SALT OF THE EARTH,
CITIZEN KOCH, AMY, ROOM. SUFFRAGETTE,
I loved. Really the whole experience. Oh, and
PULP FICTION and PRINCESS BRIDE! I worked
my schedule around the Hepburn ones.
What do you appreciate
about Film Streams?
It’s an amazing experience every time
I go. Whether I go to see a movie or to
volunteer, I learn something new and I see
something different. It’s just a present.
In 2015, we presented
37 special programs,
including…
20 screenings of substantive
films on topics facing our
community — Alzheimer’s research,
interfaith understanding, welcoming
Sudanese refugees, gang violence,
autism, and the women’s movement
— followed by panel discussions
“To hear the audience laugh, cry, and applaud together
really brought it home for me that film moves and
connects people in a way that other forms of art cannot.
It's something about the created safe space, the created
community in the theater. Pretty great stuff.”
— Amy Chittenden,
Douglas County Health Center Foundation
10 screenings
with filmmakers
and special guest artists
in attendance
33 different
community partners
Selected Community Development
and Special Programs
Free, Filmmaker Screening
Free, Filmmaker Screening
Tohoku Tomo
February 2, 2015
Becoming Bulletproof 2014
March 3, 2015
Presented with Omaha Sister Cities
Association, this documentary features interviews with Americans who
volunteered to help victims of the 2011
9.0 magnitude earthquake in Japan.
Presented with the Meyer Foundation
for Disabilities, this film documents
a unique organization that allows a
diverse group of actors living with
disabilities to film their first Western.
Filmmaker Screening
Mommy 2014
March 19, 2015
Loitering With Intent
February 12, 2015
Omaha native Tory Lenosky
presented her latest producing
project, an indie comedy with
Marisa Tomei and Sam Rockwell.
Free Valentine’s Day Screening
The Philadelphia Story 1940
February 14, 2015
This free screening, sponsored
by Borsheims, kicked off our
Katharine Hepburn repertory series in partnership with
the Durham Museum in style.
Of Many 2014
February 24, 2015
A documentary following a rabbi and
an imam who overcome historical
tensions to work together, presented
with the Tri-Faith Initiative.
A discussion presented with UNMC’s
Behavioral Health Education Center
of Nebraska and The Kim Foundation
complemented this screening, part
of a regular run of Xavier Dolan’s
film about a troubled teen.
World Peace and Other
4th-Grade Achievements
Monday, March 9, 2015
The World Peace Game, an
ingenious classroom activity that
helps children think as citizens of
the world, is profiled in this doc.
Presented with local board game
nonprofit Spielbound, this screening
was followed by panel discussion.
She’s Beautiful
When She’s Angry 2014
May 14, 2015
Film Streams and Planned
Parenthood of the Heartland
presented this special screening on the modern women’s
movement, followed by a
discussion with an intergenerational group of feminists.
Quote-along Screening
Alive Inside 2013
March 24, 2015
A documentary about the salving
qualities of music on patients with
dementia, presented with Douglas
County Health Center Foundation.
Omar 2013
April 6, 2015
Presented with Middle East Cultural
and Educational Services, this
romantic thriller set against the
tension of the Arab-Israeli conflict
was followed by a panel discussion with area college students.
Monty Python
and the Holy Grail 1974
May 16, 2015
An interactive screening and
discussion about adapting this
quotable classic for the stage
with the director and cast members of the Omaha Community
Playhouse’s “Spamalot.”
The Way He Looks 2014
May 21, 2015
This Brazilian coming-of-age
story about a visually impaired
gay high schooler was followed
by a panel discussion with representatives from Queer Nebraska
Youth Network, moderated by
Regional Director Ellen James of
partnering organization PFLAG.
The Good Lie 2014
June 2, 2015
A panel discussion with former
refugees from South Sudan,
moderated by Laura Weiss of
the Refugee Empowerment
Center (formerly Southern Sudan
Community Association), followed this film about integrating
asylum seekers into society.
Sing-along Screening
Mary Poppins 1964
June 9, 2015
Some cast members of The
Rose Theater’s production of
“Mary Poppins: The Broadway
Musical” led the fun for this
sing-along to MARY POPPINS.
Continued on next page.
Free Screening
Into the Abyss 2011
April 22, 2015
A panel discussion followed this
free screening of Werner Herzog’s
affecting documentary on death
row inmates, presented with UNO’s
Grace Abbott School of Social Work.
Free Screening
Autism: The Musical 2007
April 30, 2015
A discussion with Elaine Hall,
one of the subjects of AUTISM:
THE MUSICAL, followed
this free screening presented
with Autism Action Partnership.
Local Filmmakers Showcase
October 16 – 23
Our sixth annual program celebrating
area filmmakers, featuring work
by residents of Nebraska and
Iowa. Curated by Saddle Creek
recording artists Orenda Fink, Sarah Bohling, and Teal Gardner,
and Saddle Creek staffers Nayef Aljuraid, CJ Olson, Jeff Tafolla,
and Jadon Ulrich. Generously sponsored by Mutual of Omaha.
Selections: Husker Sand (Dir. Tommy Haines & Andrew Sherburne), A Goldfish
Documentary (Dir. Elizabeth Stehling & Steve Snell), 1975 Omaha Tornado
(Dir. Chris Machian & Jordan Pascale), The Edge of Illusion (Dir. Timothy David
Orme), M34n Str33t, “Nite Owl” (Dir. Harrison Martin), Orenda Fink, “This is a Part
of Something Greater” (Dir. Aaron Gum), Silk Duck // Purple (Dir. Yates), Journey
to Shiva-Loka (Dir. Nik Fackler), Dense (Dir. Krissy Hamm), Icky Blossoms, “In Folds”
(Dir. Nik Fackler & Derek Pressnall), The Murder Ballad of James Jones (Dir. Jesse
Kreitzer), If Death Were Kind (Dir. Austin Blankenau, Megan Fleming & Dylan Adams).
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
PAUL ALLEN IV
How many films did you see at Film
Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater in 2015?
Somewhere around 60 films.
What were some of your favorite films
or events that you saw at Film Streams’
Ruth Sokolof Theater in 2015?
I loved the Local Filmmakers Showcase, the
Oscar Shorts, BLADE RUNNER, the BACK TO
THE FUTURE events, and all of the events
that had Q&A after. I loved the children’s
series and LABYRINTH. I was so happy
about the screening of THE THIRD MAN.
There was too much good stuff to mention.
What do you appreciate
about Film Streams?
I appreciate the knowledge and appreciation the Film Streams family has for film as
an art form, and that translates to a great
range of films featured. The community
involvement is a great plus, and I especially
love the support Film Streams gives to local filmmakers. I appreciate that with the
membership, the cost is low enough to make
it a regular thing. It’s weekly for me and some
of my friends, and sometimes even twice a
week. Film Streams feels like home base. I
only strayed one weekend to see STAR WARS,
because, well, you know, STAR WARS.
Filmmaker Screening
Free Screening
Who Took Johnny 2014
July 7, 2015
Seeds of Time 2013
October 14, 2015
For our first-ever Skype-in filmmaker
Q&A, director Michael Galinsky
answered questions about his
documentary on the disappearance of
Des Moines paperboy Johnny Gosch.
A panel discussion followed
this alarming look at the global
implications of climate change on
farming, presented with Omaha
Public Library’s Common Soil
Seed Library and Edible Omaha.
Free, Filmmaker Screening
James Baldwin:
The Price of the Ticket 1989
July 30, 2015
A discussion with director Karen
Thorsen and producer Douglas K.
Dempsey accompanied their portrait
of the groundbreaking novelist,
poet, and civil rights activist James
Baldwin. Presented with the Bemis
Center for Contemporary Arts and
The Union for Contemporary Art in
conjunction with Native Omaha Days.
Filmmaker Screening
Iris First-Run (PG-13)
Friday, August 21, 2015
Producer Laura Coxson joined us for
this special screening, part of a oneweek run of Albert Maysles’ portrait
of nonagenarian style icon Iris Apfel.
Women on the Verge of
a Nervous Breakdown 1988
September 16, 2015
Pedro Almodóvar’s campy comedy,
an inspiration for Opera Omaha’s
production of The Barber of Seville,
was preceded by an aria performed
by baritone John Moore and followed
by a discussion with opera director
Michael Shell and Spanish film
scholar Dr. Steven Torres of OLLAS.
Citizen Koch 2013
September 29, 2015
Presented with Common Cause
Nebraska and Nebraskans for
Civic Reform, this documentary on campaign finance was
followed by a panel discussion.
A Rose Theater Event:
I Dream of
an Omaha Where…
October 21, 2015
A film document of nationally known performer Daniel
Beatty’s theater workshops with
survivors of Omaha gang violence.
Filmmaker Screening
A Borrowed Identity 2014
October 27, 2015
Screenwriter Sayed Kashua was on
hand for this screening of a film, based
on his memoir, about a Palestinian
boy who is admitted to a prestigious
Jewish school in Jerusalem. Presented
with UNO’s Schwalb Center for
Israel & Jewish Studies with a
post-show discussion featuring
fellow Israeli writer Assaf Gavron.
Free Screening
Who is Dayani Cristal? 2013
November 3, 2015
Gael Garcia Bernal helmed this
documentary investigating the journey
of a Central American immigrant
whose body was discovered in the
Arizona desert. Presented with the
Latin American Studies Initiative
at Creighton University, this free
screening and panel discussion were
sponsored by Robert Stofferson.
My Brooklyn 2012
November 10, 2015
Presented with inCOMMON
Community Development, this film
on gentrification was followed by a
panel discussion on how this national
issue is at play in Omaha with local
experts, activists, and thinkers.
Free Screening
The Homestretch 2014
November 10, 2015
This affecting film on homeless teens,
presented with Youth Emergency
Services, was complemented by a discussion moderated by Omaha WorldHerald columnist Erin Grace, with
YES’ Director of Program Services
Cindy Goodin and two youth who
have benefitted from YES services.
Disney’s Alice Comedies
December 5, 2015
We joined forces with The New
Philharmonic and the Omaha
Symphony to present two showings
of a collection of Disney’s Alice
Comedies with live scores. Local
musician Dan McCarthy accompanied two shorts with original piano
compositions, and 15 members of
the Omaha Symphony played the
original scores along with two others.
Ongoing
The Metropolitan
Opera: Live in HD
Our longest and most enduring
collaboration, presented with
Opera Omaha, featuring Prelude
Talks before all live broadcasts.
2015 Income
& Expenditures
Contributed support (59%)
Individuals
Corporations
Foundations
Government grants
Special events
Total contributed
$386,500
$88,000
$318,000
$104,500
$0
$897,000
Earned revenues (41%)
Box office
Concessions
Merchandise
Sales tax on taxable revenues
Membership dues
Interest-sav/shortterm inv
Rental revenue
Program Services fees
$339,500
$181,500
$500
– $41,000
$118,000
$1,000
$15,500
$12,500
Total earned revenues
$627,500
To/from unrestricted net assets
Total income
– $326,500
$1,198,000
New York Film
Critics Series
A series of preview screenings of
first-run films with special added
content, including interviews with
cast and filmmakers conducted by
Rolling Stone reviewer Peter Travers.
Shown in 2015: Every Secret Thing,
Digging For Fire, James White
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
JOHN SWEENEY
How many films did you see at Film
Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater in 2015?
Over 80.
What were some of your favorite
films or events that you saw at Film
Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater in 2015?
Grateful regards for the diverse special
programs and the family series, along with
the unique Alloy Orchestra. Unparalleled!
What do you appreciate
about Film Streams?
Expense
General programming
First-Run films
Repertory films
Education programs
Community Dev. & Special Programs
$430,500
$343,500
$63,000
$44,500
$68,000
Total programming expense (79%)
$949,000
Management & General (13%)
$158,000
Fundraising (8%)
Total expense
*Figures have not yet been audited at time of publication.
$91,000
$1,198,000
The theater delivers distinctive moments
in life, a brief yet profound escape from our
daily life. Our love of cinema provides us
with personal and incisive considerations.
Each staff person fosters a charming,
pleasant, and benevolent atmosphere.
Film Streams — a reel gem. Always touches
our cinematic heart. Mirth and merriment
abound. On with the show. Enjoy!
Film Streams
Supporters
Many thanks to the following
contributors for their support of the
Ruth Sokolof Theater.
Gifts &
Donations
$20,000+
Anonymous
Douglas County Visitor
Improvement Fund
The Holland Foundation
National Endowment
for the Arts
Nebraska Arts Council/
Nebraska Cultural
Endowment
Omaha Steaks
Peter Kiewit Foundation
The Sherwood Foundation
Paul & Annette Smith
Sokolof/Javitch Family
Weitz Family Foundation
$10,000 – $19,999
Anonymous
Michael & Laura Alley
John W. Carson Foundation
Mona & Marshall Faith
Ike & Roz Friedman
Foundation
The Gifford Foundation
Jetton Charitable Fund
through the Omaha
Community Foundation
Jack & Stephanie Koraleski
Bluestem Prairie Foundation
Mike & Susan Lebens
Tina & Dan Lonergan
Bob & Maggie Mundy
Mutual of Omaha
Sam Walker
Katie Weitz, PhD
Barbara & Wally Weitz
$5,000 – $9,999
Anonymous
Mogens & Cindy Bay
Sue & Chris Behr
Coolidge Corner Theatre /
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Roger B. Devor
Cindy & Scott Heider
Nancy & David Jacobson
Kutak Rock LLP
Gerry & Bruce Lauritzen
John & Elizabeth Lauritzen
Foundation
Lincoln Financial Foundation
Nancy & Mike McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy
Terrie & John Ringwalt
Dr. & Mrs. Joel & Nancy
Schlessinger
Jim & Kathy Simpson
Anne Thorne Weaver
Valmont Industries, Inc.
Kate & Roger Weitz
Drew & Meredith Weitz
Mike & Brenda Whealy
Ron Widman
Tenaska, Inc.
Sarah & Adam Yale
$1,000 – $2,499
Anonymous**
The Abariotes Family
Alley Poyner Macchietto, Inc.
Jean Ann Ballinger
& Ward Peters
JK Barker Foundation
Roger Blauwet
Borsheims Fine
Jewelry & Gifts
John K. and Lynne D. Boyer
Family Foundation
Bob Broom & Mary Clarkson
Dr. Douglas
& Karen Brouillette
Sherry Brown
Eric Bunderson
Bruce & Sharon Clawson
Ronald Cohn
Creighton University
Jesuit Community at
Creighton University
Linda & Tim Daugherty
Henry Davis
Hillary Nather-Detisch
& John Detisch
Roger & Jody duRand
Gary & Kathy Ensz
Catherine & Terry Ferguson
Carol Gendler
Mr. & Mrs. Nelson Gordman
Joan Heistand
Polly & Ted Hoff
Jane Huerter & Dick Jeffries
Richard & Joanie Jacobson
Matthew & Donna Johnson
Gary & Sally Kaplan
Mogens Knudsen
Hal & Ashlee Koch
John & Wende Kotouc
Emily & Clark Lauritzen
Philip & Cynthia Lee
Allan & Janie Murow
Diana Nevins
Sharee & Murray Newman
Richard & Joan O’Brien
Peggy C. Payne
Jill & Terry Petersen
Tom & Patti Peterson
Lou Anne Rinn
Cynthia Schneider
& Sylvia Cohn/Rose
Blumkin Foundation
Streck, Inc.
Jeff & Maria Sauvageau
Susan Scherl
Terri Schrager
Julie Morsman Schroeder
Foundation
John & Dianne Scott
Aaron & Robin Shaddy
Don & Beth Van de Water
John Wilhelm
Mary Beth & Jim Winner
Christine Young
Kristin & Hadi Zahra
$2,500 – $4,999
$500 – $999
Baird Holm LLP
Norman and Frances
Batt Family Fund
Dan & Esther Brabec
Bunny & Larry Buss
First National Bank
Dan & Jennifer Hamann
Karen & Jim Linder
Anonymous**
Jane Alseth
Rabbi Aryeh & Elyce Azriel
Tom & Susie Baechle
David Baker & Lisa Sandlin
George & Nancy Behringer
Bill & Monica Blizek
Carol & Steven Bloch
Mrs. Frances Blumkin
Rik Bonness
David Boyer
& Rolando Garcia
Mike & Holly Boyer
John & Lynne Boyer
Dr. Frederick Bronski
Karen & Brent Burmood
Leslie Sanders & Kevin Burr
Tina & John Cherica
Bruce & Lisa Dale
Janet Davis
Claudia & Tony Deeb
Eunie & Norm Denenberg
Robyn Devore
Ben & Janna Drickey
Karen & Robert Duncan
Kim Dunovan & Jerre Tritsch
Beth Eliason
Mark & Dannette Eveloff
Bill & Deanne Fairfield
Tom & Darlynn Fellman
Anne & Mike Fenner
Dr. David & Judi Finkle
Mary Beth & Mike Flanagan
Col. Patricia Fornes &
Col. Doug Marshall
Betty G. Foster
Rick Shever
& Mark Goodman
Vic Gutman & Associates
Terry & Judy Haney
Melanie & David Hecker
Tim Held & Jay Worden
Nancy Heller
Mary Helms & Ken Olson
Roderic & Donna Hewlett
Christine & Bradley Hinton
Holly & Bruce Hoberman
Shari Hofschire
Jun & Ree Kaneko
Laurie & Charles Kay
George Kleine & Tom Knox
Robyn & Jim Kortan
Shane & David Kotok
Kathryn Larimer
Stacy L. Lerner
Jennifer Maassen
Chris McClellan
Dede McFayden-Donahue
& Pat Donahue
Mark & Vera Mercer
Jessica & Mike Mogis
Donna Neff & Walt Jesteadt
Senator & Mrs. Ben Nelson
Nancy F. Noddle
Patty & Steve Nogg
Harriet A. Otis
Robert L. Ottemann
& Kim Kalkowski
Bob & Kay Owen
Polly & Frank Partsch
Robert M. Patterson
William & Jeanne Penry
Pat & Gayle Ray
Curtis Reed & Jo Ann Quinif
Todd Robinson
& Cheryle Manasil
Jay & Suzanne Robinson
Barbara Schlott
Security National Bank
Abby & Jason Shiffermiller
Kay M. Shilling M.D.
Rob & Norma Shoemaker
Robert Slovek
& Karen O’Dowd
Susan & Charles Smith
Sandra Squires
Squires Household
Rich & Tracy Stanko
Don & Julie Stavneak
Janet & Jerry Syslo
Susan Thomas
& Steve Hutchinson
Rodney & Marilyn Thompson
Jerre Tritsch
& Kimberly Dunovan
TJ & Katie Twit
Janine Ucchino
& Christopher Tjaden
Matt Vandenack
Judy Vann & Family
Anne Herman
& Jeremy Vlcan
John Wagner
& Carolyn McNamara
Ed & Colleen Warin
Kirby Warren
Sheri Kennedy & Todd White
Tammy & John Williams
Mike & Meaghen Wostoupal
Peter & Kristae Zandbergen
$250 – $499
Anonymous******
Kelly & James Adair
Trent Allen
Maureen & Rich Anderl
Harold & Marian Andersen
Jono Anzalone
& Andrew Gleason
Phyllis Aronson
Ann & Ed Batchelder
Anne Begley
Patty C & John B
Myriel (My) Boes
Steve & Leslie Bogue
Gary & Sylvia Bohn
Sandi & Bill Bruns
Russ & Jan Burton
Patrick & Jane Carmody
Anne & James Carroll
Greg & Laura Chambers
Stuart & Amy Chittenden
Christian
& Debra Christensen
Joel Chudy
Craig Clawson
Mary Coady-Leeper
& Tad Leeper
Susie & Dennis Collins
Senator Tanya Cook
Mary Cortese
Kathryne Cutler
& Boyd Littrell
Hal & Mary Daub
Mary & Kurt Davey
Jannette Davis
Maggie Diers Yost
Bob & Betty Dorr
Sherry & Jim Douglas
Linda & Charles Duckworth
Cathy Eberle
Lisa & Gary Epstein
Jill & Mike Erman
John & Trish Fahey
Bev & Dick Fellman
Ron & Mary A. Ferdig
Christine & Mauro Fiore
Mary Lee & Ed Fitzsimmons
Anne C. Foley
Kim M. Folta
Diane & Jere Fonda
Sara Foxley
Susan & Clark Fry
Rick & Mary Fulton
Dr. Bill L. Gaus
Mary Kay & Bob Gerken
The Gilbert Family
Rita & Ivan Gilreath
Jim & Jordana Glazer
James & Janice Gleason
Karen Gluck
Don Goldstein
Tom & Marylu Gouttierre
Kimberly Grassmeyer
Carl & Belinda Greiner
Michelle Gress
Cheryl Griffin
& Chuck Lenosky
Mike & Kathy Gross
Teri & Carl Gumbiner
John & Emily Guzallis
Beardmore Chevrolet Subaru
Rosalyn Hansen
Lynn Harland
& Harmon Maher
List includes 2015 contributions. For corrections, please email [email protected].
Rev. Mark H. Hatch
Morgan & Walter Hecht
Nancy K. Hemmingsen
Shelton Hendricks
& Andrew Stevenson
Adrian & Julia Hernandez
Jonna & Tim Holland
Nancy Hornstein
Ann & Don Hosford
Melissa & Alan How
Dale & Ginny Inglis
Carolyn Ireland
Monica Messer & John Irwin
Jackson Street Booksellers
Judy Gale & Gail Jensen
Darin & Sara Jensen
Chris & Jennifer Jerram
Jeff & Susie Johnston
Jim & Ruth Keene
Mike & Barb Kelly
Steve Kenyon
& Mary Stolinski
Dennis & Claire Kirlin
Maxine & Joe Kirshenbaum
The Doctors Kissell
Brad & Amy Knuth
Dick & Deb Koesters
Carol H. Kolar
Sarah Ann & John Kotchian
Mike Krainak & Janet Farber
Suzy Kratochvil & Ed Lindsay
Marie & Jack Kubat
Mary Ann Lamanna
Patricia & Louis Lamberty
Jennifer Larsen & Joe Sisson
Patrick Leahy
David Levin
Robert & Diane Lewis
Rocky Lewis
Meredith Fuller & Jim Luyten
Jason & Bree MacTaggart
Dennis & Marilyn Mailliard
Christine & Sean Malloy
Karla & John Marburger
Tom Marfisi
Gary Marshall & Ilka Oberst
Anna & John May
Susan & Steve McWhorter
Sam & Alice Meisels
Sue Meyers
Paul Mileris & Robin Behlers
Dr. Gilles & Kerry Monif
Emily & Craig Moody
George & Jill Morrissey
M.E. Mulcahy
Dan & Mary Ann Mulhall
Michael & Kimberly Murphy
Lisa & Larry Murray
Bruce & Mary-Beth Muskin
Nite Owl
Sandy & Alan Nogg
Bob Nordyke
& Lourdes Gouveia
Omaha Chamber of
Commerce
Tom & Jennifer Pansing
Ann Pape
John & Joyce Passarelli
Eric Pearson
& Lorraine Chang
Doug & Connie Pera
John & Julie Petr
Drs. Lewis & Winifred Pinch
Lenore Polack
Hobson & Denise Powell
Sara & Gary Radil
John & Linda Burt Rebrovic
Michael Reilly & Deb Carson
Peggy Reinecke
& Dean Arkfeld
Tom Richter
Zac Robbins
Kim & Bill Roberts
The Learning Exchange
Rick Rubio
Peggy M. Rupprecht
Rick & Carol Russell
Liz Ryan & Steve Langan
Jeanne & Pat Salerno
Jeffrey Schrager & Anne York
Mark Howard Schulze
Mike & Kim Schwab
Lourdes Secola
& Sheldon Lerner
April Shaughnessy
Marty & Aveva Shukert
Lane & Dave Sidebottom
Sissy Katelman Silber
Linda Sing
Suzanne Richards Singer
Victoria & Jesse Sitz
Patty & Ron Skwarek
Jill Slupe
Magan & Tim Smith
Michael & Sarah Smith
Dave & Leigh Snow
Thomas & Denese Stalnaker
Gerry Sullivan & Bob Benzel
Gregory Swanson
Jason Tellinghuisen
Janice & Richard Tiggelaar
Jeanne Trachta
Ann Van Hoff
Irv & Gail Veitzer
Miles Waggener
& Joanna Greenwood
Pat & Judd Wagner
Don & Angie Wells
Tracy & John Wells
Watie White
Sandra Whitlock
Judy & Jim Wigton
Chauncey Wilkins MD
John & Mary Wilson
Mary & John Windle
Nikki Zimmerman
Damian Zuerlein
Debbi & Speedy Zweiback
Tributes
& Memorials
In Memory of Stephen J. Abariotes
The Abariotes Family
Mary E. Kaiman
In Memory of Dawn Busenbark
Henry Davis
In Honor of Film Streams
Volunteers
Morgan & Walter Hecht
In Memory of Gail Ruth Levin
David Levin
In Memory of Don Gleason
Shiela & Timothy Quinn
In Memory of Jim Heller
Nancy Heller
In Honor of
Nancy and David Jacobson
Rik Bonness
In Honor of Rachel Jacobson
Jack & Gretchen Brickson
In Memory of Alan Kulakofsky
Janie Kulakofsky
In Memory of David Lerner
Stacy L. Lerner
In Memory of Phil Schrager
Terri Schrager
In Honor of Todd & Betiana Simon
Jim & Jordana Glazer
In Memory of Missy Vangreen
Kurt Vangreen
In Memory of Larry L. Waller
Louena Guidera
In Kind
Support
91.5 KIOS FM
Alley Poyner Macchietto
B & G Tasty Foods
Barnhart Press
The Bookworm
Erin Eppenbaugh Photography
Hilton Omaha
International Minute Press
Jackson Street Booksellers
Kitchen Table
Kutak Rock LLP
The Learning Exchange
Lot 2
Microsoft Corporation
Omaha Mail, Inc.
Oxide Design Co.
Quench Fine Wines
Saddle Creek
The Slowdown
The Reader
The River 89.7 FM
Film Streams Staff
Rachel Jacobson
Founder/Executive Director
Casey Logan
Deputy Director
Board of Directors
Laura Alley, Vice Chair
Roger duRand
Charles Gifford
David Jacobson, Founding Chair
Rachel Jacobson, Founder/Director
Mark Javitch
Gerry Lauritzen
Daniel Lonergan
Robert E. (Bob) Mundy, Secretary
Alexander Payne
Betiana Simon
Paul G. Smith, Chair
Ted Warin, Treasurer
Katie Weitz, PhD; Past Chair
Sarah Bay Yale
Community
Development
Committee
Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado
Rabbi Aryeh Azriel
Kali Baker
Ward Chambers
Julie Cobb
Sarah Gilbert
David Jacobson
Howard Liu
Robert E. (Bob) Mundy
Tracy Stanko
Jannette Taylor
Patrick Kinney
Communications Director
Advisory
Board
Kurt Andersen
Danny Lee Ladely
Robb Nansel
Hillary Nather-Detisch
Joel Schlessinger
Michael B. Yanney,
Director Emeritus
Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein
Finance
Committee
Jeff Beck
Tina Cherica
Mark Javitch
Daniel Lonergan
Paul G. Smith
Ted Warin
Education
Committee
Ron Azoulay
Mark Hoeger
Michael Hollins
Mark Kratina
Michael McCauley
Tracey Menten
Robert Patterson
Julie Rowse
Nancy Schlessinger
Bill Steinke
Weston Thompson
David Weisser
Katie Weitz, PhD;
Ed. Committee Chair
Anne Kotlik
Accountant
Caitlin LaVelle-Gustafson
Development Associate
Brooke Masek
Program and Outreach
Coordinator
Molly Welsh
Operations Manager
Aaron Haug
Associate Manager
Sean Pratt
Shift Manager
Kevin Rooney
Shift Manager
Katherine Gillespie
Shift Manager
Rebecca Allen
Administrative Coordinator
T.J. Jones
Theater Staff
Dianne Kirchmann
Theater Staff
Jason Murphy
Theater Staff
Jim Foyt
Head Projectionist
Bob Foyt
Projectionist
Joe Knapp
Projectionist
Thomas Latchford
Projectionist
Matt Maine
Projectionist
Connie White
Balcony Booking
Joe Sparano
Graphic Designer
2015 Interns
Nick Beaulieu
Andrew Douglas
Kaitlan McDermott
Shelby Seier
Mason Schumaker
MVVs (Most Valuable Volunteers 2015)
Cindy Andersen
Alexander Bohan
Maija Briedis
Bunny Buss
Kelsey Campbell
Kerri Dietz Pillen
Patsy Doughty
Tracy Formaro-Riley
Pat Gobel
Ellen Hargus
Mary Helms
Joe Holm
Kate Hughes
Nancy Johnson
Susan J. Kuzela
Elaine Litton
Courtney Mault
Jacquie Montag
Brenna Paulson
Jay Robinson
Rex Shields
Virginia Stauffer
Anne Twedt
Mary Wampler
Marjorie Waterman
In Memory
Film Streams remembers the supporters
and volunteers our community recently lost.
Steve Abariotes
Harold W. Andersen
Fred Backer
Soralee & Jerry Cohn
Tim Coniglio
Thomas Fay
Bev Fellman
Angela Foyt
Jane Keller
Bonnie Leonhardt
Jackie McCabe
John Murphy
Sadie Alexandra Nather
Kelly Outson
George H. Payne II
David Rosenberg
Rev. John P. Schlegel, SJ
Cynthia Schneider
Fred Simon
Kate Sommer
Blaine Ward
If your loved one was a member and is not noted here, we are
sorry for your loss. If you’d like, you may notify [email protected].
Film Streams
at the Ruth Sokolof Theater
2015 Annual Report
One of our most popular shots on Instagram
in 2015 was taken halfway through our
community’s annual day of giving, Omaha Gives!
By the end of May 21, 2015, over 220
donors contributed nearly $35,000 toward
programs at the Ruth Sokolof Theater.